Lothar Matthaus on Bayern Munich Biggest Mistake
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has claimed that selling Toni Kroos to Real Madrid was the “biggest mistake” in Bayern Munich’s history. Kroos, who recently retired from club football after guiding Real Madrid to their 15th Champions League title, will end his career entirely after the European Championship. Goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior secured a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, allowing the midfielder to sign off with his sixth European triumph in a decade with Madrid.
The Departure and Its Impact
Kroos moved to the Spanish capital in 2014 for a fee of around £20 million after contract negotiations with Bayern fell through. Matthaus believes Bayern Munich will regret this decision for “many” years. Speaking to Bild, he said, “From FC Bayern’s point of view, it was the biggest mistake in the club’s history to sell Toni Kroos simply out of emotion and vanity.” He compared it to the departure of David Alaba, suggesting both decisions were not made rationally and would cause long-term regret for the club.
Kroos’ Legacy and Real Madrid’s Appreciation
Kroos has had an illustrious career at Real Madrid, making 465 appearances, scoring 28 goals, and providing 98 assists. Despite leaving Bayern under contentious circumstances, he has thrived in Spain, becoming one of the top players in Real Madrid’s history. Reflecting on his time at Bayern, Kroos recalled a conversation with former Bayern president Uli Hoeness, who deemed his salary demands an “impertinence.” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also told Kroos, “We will not pay you more than ten million euros because you are not a world-class player.” Since then, Kroos has proven his worth, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez stating, “Toni Kroos is one of the great players in Real Madrid history and this club will always be his home.”
Continued Excellence and Future Prospects
Kroos played a key role in Real Madrid’s title-winning success this season, contributing in 32 league matches. His renewed form also saw him return to the international stage after initially retiring in 2021. While he is part of Julian Nagelsmann’s provisional squad for the upcoming European Championship, it is unlikely he will unseat current national team captain Ilkay Gundogan. Germany, considered one of the favorites, will begin their campaign against Scotland on June 14, aiming to improve on their disappointing World Cup performance in Qatar.
